Rapper FIRST time REACTION to Murray Head - One Night In Bangkok! This is really strange...

[@DrewNMass]

"The song is generally about an American chess master, arrived in Bangkok for a tournament, and finding the showy and decadent location inappropriate for the serious mental activity of playing chess" - Quora

[@heavin6586]

Heard this song countless times, Never got the reference 😂 Thank you!

[@hdis575]

negative its much deeper than that

[@richardlambert3364]

Quora sometimes has great answers from knowledgeable people but it is a long way from authoritative. It is just a place where people can answer questions of other people. There can be hundreds or more answers to individual questions.

[@bbollig9288]

@@hdis575 Ok, go deeper. You get one sentence.

[@susannehouse3857]

If you lived through the 80"s nothing seems weird..........🤣🤣🤣

[@lisamareepritchard6375]

Exactly right, fun times

[@kelleewolfe2834]

That's hilarious!

[@karencox3235]

Hilarious and also TRUE! LOL!!

[@nicolegoehr5618]

@@lisamareepritchard6375😊👍Yesssss

[@cindydelbridge2311]

Oh so true! You got to love the ‘80’s!

[@gaviny7560]

This song is the opening number to act two of the musical Chess (written by the two men from ABBA and musical lyricist Tim Rice. The first act takes place in the Tyrolean town of Merano and the second act takes place in Bangkok. The biggest hit from the show was I Know Him So Well by Elaine Paige and Barbra Dickson. It’s one of my favourite musicals.

[@toriboy25]

Was it? Before I heard the musical I had heard Bangkok a million time but only heard I Know Him So Well on Whitney Houston's album.

[@gaviny7560]

I have the original concept album of Chess and it’s got I Know Him So Well on it as performed by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson. It was released as a single in December 1984 and went to No.1. Whitney’s version was recorded in 1987.

[@toriboy25]

@@gaviny7560 Yeah I am just saying I never heard I know Him So Well before the Whitney version. Never heard in on the radio. Which is a shame cause I love the OG version

[@gaviny7560]

@@toriboy25 I doubt the single was released in the US hence you probably heard Whitney’s version first.

[@AndieO]

Mine too. There's a really great video on KZbin with members of the original cast. Entire musical. So good.

[@jennyjenny4501]

The 80’s rocked!!! Fun fact: the gentlemen from ABBA wrote this song.

[@chassetterfield9559]

Benny [ the bulkier, keyboard playing one ] from ABBA wrote the music, Sir Tim Rice [ formerly known for his collaborations with [Lord] Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats etc ] wrote the lyrics.

[@arthurplane9682]

From the Broadway Musical Chess... (Off Broadway? I forget.) If you listen to the lyrics closely you will get the references.

[@davidjames3080]

@@arthurplane9682 The song was originally on a concept album (featuring this song and 'I Know him so well' by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson) that was released to make money for a possible musical. The album (particularly those two songs) were successful and two years later the musical opened in London's West End, having a successful 3 year run. A much changed version and cast later ran on Broadway, but was not as successful and only lasted a couple of months.

[@jeannieschmidt2217]

I had no idea - but it makes total sense. This SOUNDS exactly like an Abba song.

[@terrykemp1876]

…with Tim Rice. 😉

[@sgrabtune3950]

"One Night in Bangkok" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical Chess by Tim Rice (who wrote several songs for Elton John & some famous Broadway plays, such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita) Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus, (Of ABBA) English actor and singer Murray Head raps the verses, while the chorus is sung by Anders Glenmark, a Swedish singer, songwriter, and producer. The full version of the song begins with an orchestral introduction, entitled "Bangkok". This serves as the introduction to Act 2 in the original musical album, feeding into the first verse of "One Night in Bangkok" itself with an abrupt change in musical style. Chess is a musical The story involves a politically driven, Cold War-era chess tournament between two grandmasters, one American and the other Soviet, and their fight over a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. Although the protagonists were not intended to represent any real individuals, the character of the American grandmaster (named Freddie Trumper in the stage version) was loosely based on Bobby Fischer, (American chess grandmaster and the eleventh World Chess Champion. A chess prodigy, he won his first of a record eight US Championships at the age of 14. In 1964, he won with an 11-0 score, the only perfect score in the history of the tournament. Qualifying for the 1972 World Championship) while elements of the story may have been inspired by the chess careers of Russian grandmasters Viktor Korchnoi and Anatoly Karpov. PLEASE try the other videos from the musical they are...... - (The Arbiter) - The Arbiter - (Nobody's Side) - Florence (aka Elaine Paige) - (I Know Him So Well) - Florence (aka Elaine Paige) and Svetlana (aka Barbara Dickson) - (Pity the Child) - The American (aka Murray Head)

[@christinacann1791]

Watch out for those Thai pretty lady boys, Black Pegasus!

[@terigalen3340]

Chess Masters do not care where they are or the culture outside the tournament venue. All they care about is chess. So he is exactly saying he's playing chess. Period. You got it!

[@cyberash3000]

fun fact back in the 90s i was in an under 16s chess tourniment to see who was the best in the north wwest and i got into the final with 4 others from my club, and a the end of tourniemnt it wwas the quarter finals and i was put p against the guy who won the tourniment, and i knew he was the best we all did, because of that i lost, and got 4th best in the north west of england, JUST outside the prizes i was so angry at being drawn against him i never played chess again

[@AK00777]

Thanks, I never knew what this was about

[@AK00777]

​@@cyberash3000OH NO! it destroyed a passion for you?! So sorry to hear that. But WOW! It sounds like you did really well ❤❤

[@cyberash3000]

@AK00777 long time ago. I'm 43 old bloke now. My parents say I should go online and play chess like those two votes sisters lol but a guy

[@user-qb2ze8pn9c]

1300 explanation

[@karencahill4798]

68 year old woman. Love this 👍Great, great song. Great era. An era of unique and ‘out of the box’ songs.

[@donnacorey5682]

I'm 68 too! Loved this song and video when it came out. Still do!!

[@AngieCurl]

I have always loved this song since I was a kid :-) His brother was an actor on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Anthony Head!

[@rubyslippers8215]

No way....🤣 Anybody else old enough to remember Anthony Head's Taster's Choice coffee commercials with Rula Lenska? Or am I the most ancient person here?🤣 TY for the info!👍 UPDATE! So, I had to deep dive into the whole Taster's Choice thing. It WASN'T Rula Lenska (she was in the VO5 hair commercials) The actress in the TC commercials was actually Sharon Maughan. I can't find a definitive answer to if they even ended up together. Seems like they did in the UK version.

[@annereidy7981]

Rupert Giles, the Librarian and the Slayer's mentor/guardian.

[@TheDopekitty]

I didn't know they were related!

[@letmadora28]

Now I know why Anthony Head has a very good singing voice. I love His album Music for Elevators.

[@LadybugLuv]

I recently learned this info via another reactors comment section. I think it is so cool as I was/am a fan of both. I never realized the connection, but looking at this video again, and knowing what I now know, I can clearly see a resemblance. I just think it's cool! 😎

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

I love this song released in October of 1984!! It talks about the corruption and cesspool that was in Bangkok, Thailand! I love his rapping-talk style and I love that chess was the song’s main topic! ❤❤

[@123Will68]

It peaked at No. 3 in the United States in May 1985. It's a fun song.

[@creinicke1000]

Yes!!! Just a darn fun song..

[@hnorrstrom]

Wow... I thought it was from the very end of the 80's. Well quite modern for it's time. I just love Anders Glenmark's backing vocals.

[@karencox3235]

I graduated the next month. It was a fun fun song for the grad parties and Grad Night at Disneyland.

[@MartinaDeir]

This song is from a musical called Chess and it involved the 2 guys from ABBA

[@theodoreritola7641]

EVEN ABBA SUCKED IN THE 80s LOLin cluding a lot of 80s muisc period

[@dathorndike4908]

@@theodoreritola7641 What are you talking about? The 80's had some of the most interesting and eclectic music ever made.

[@brendamckinley3036]

The chick was the singing voice of the Pocahontas in the Disney movie I think. Gawd I'm not awake yet but it's either that or the little mermaid.

[@theodoreritola7641]

I KNOW i just wasnt a fan much thats all

[@kathrynnisse5105]

THIS SONG IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!! Thank you for selecting & reacting to it!!!

[@thehorrorfanx]

Ah! I always get happy when this song comes on the radio. I love his condescending tone. LOL

[@kelleewolfe2834]

Hahaaaa! Yes!

[@potatoradio]

When ABBA member meets Phantom of the Opera composer in a musical about spy's, cold war politics, and chess.

[@paulqueripel3493]

Wrong musical. Phantom's lyrics weren't by Tim Rice, and Lloyd Webber (Phantom's composer) didn''t work on this one. Evita's a better example.

[@garyzimmermann7663]

@@paulqueripel3493 Yup, and JC Superstar

[@gfaithowens1790]

Trivia: Murray Head is the brother of actor Anthony Stewart Head known mostly for his role as Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Also, no shade BP we were all confused by this song in the 80s as well....but it's kinda damn catchy and we wanted to learn all the words.

[@creinicke1000]

Wasn't Giles in a sexy coffee commercial?

[@gregorybrown3272]

Murray Head was also Judas Iscariot in the original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar

[@tyramasters-heinrichs921]

Still love the song, also love chess

[@paulqueripel3493]

​@@creinicke1000Nescafé Gold Blend.

[@angelahendry6394]

Exactly! All the weird songs from the 80s that were on mainstream radio - rock me Amadeus, turning Japanese......

[@chrisester2910]

This song was banned in Thailand because the Thai government felt that the song presented Bangkok in a bad light.

[@chlyon]

It does !

[@dtkincaid]

it's a realistic light though (at least it was in the 80's/90's when I was there)

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

First line - it's a show that has "everything but Yul Brynner." Yul Brynner was a very well-respected actor of the 50s-70s. Besides many action roles, he was most known for playing the king of Siam (Thailand) (ETA: In the movie musical The King and I). The Thai government found the portrayal so offensive that Yul Brynner was banned from Thailand. I am not clear if they were offended by the nature of the portrayal (i.e. very stereotyped) or simply the fact that their king was portrayed at all.

[@chrismorgan9153]

Lese-majeste is a big deal in Thailand. Insulting the king or royal family will get you thrown in person for decades. It's like it was specially designed for the current king, though. There's nothing like him walking around in his Daisy Dukes and cutoff t-shirt...lol.

[@Bikebrh]

I had a girlfriend from Thailand some years ago, and she explained that the whole thing was offensive, the movie, AND the memoirs/novelization on which the movie was based(Anna and the King of Siam, by Margaret Landon, based on the two memoirs by Anna Leonowens). They consider it inaccurate and horribly racist. If you want to upset a person from Thailand, start praising "The King and I".

[@rickpat-x9u]

@@chrismorgan9153 when you think about the 1980s Broadway revival of "King & I" starring Brenner in his 60s & still athletic as can be....... If you love Spy movies, some of best are Brenner's *_Double Man, The Kremlin Letter, Fourth Protocol, '70s Killer Elite, & original Day of the Jackel_* I'll throw in some others Michael Caine did 3-film series _IPCRESS File, Funeral in Berlin, Billion Dollar Brain (not as good as others)_ , *AND 2 good Wartime Spy movies **_36 Hours & The Man Who Never Was (based on true events of when Ian Flemming was Royal Navy-MI6 during WWII)_*

[@laurabailey1054]

FYI, Yule Bryner, mentioned in the song, played the king of Siam in the Broadway musical and movie The King and I. He made the role famous and played the role of the king off and on until a few months before he died. The soundtrack for the musical Chess where this song is from is amazing

[@markcarter822]

I was waiting for this one. It is about a World Chess Match and also about Bangkok's "Red Light District"

[@Tinker_LV426]

One of my all time favorites. YOU MUST listen to his Heaven on their Minds from Jesus christ superstar. So underrated as a rock vocalist.

[@jacqueline4514]

Pegasus, can you believe this song is about a Chess Tournament? I’m at work; have to wait to watch this one; can’t wait! “I get my kicks above the waistline, Sunshine” 😂❤ You nailed the meaning!

[@timpimlott-pi8ys]

Having been taken from a musical allegorically reflecting the Cold War tensions present in the 1980s (Chess - written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus), this song unsurprisingly sits out of context. Because a concept album was produced first to finance the theatrical production of Chess, we have lots of great standalone songs but with muddied storylines. Arguably, the album was more successful than any of the musical theatrical adaptations released.

[@Chu6um]

There was a time when the world chess championships became highly political between the US and USSR. Chess became 'fashionable' back in the Bobby Fischer time in the late 60's to early 70's.

[@BuddyBoy68]

Hi Black Pegasus! It's Andrew Erroch fae Paisley in Scotland here. 'One Night In Bangkok' is a song I regularly hear in my head when I'm in Bangkok every year. I don't go to most of the tourist places, as my wife is Thai and we mostly visit family and friends. We have our own place there, too, in Nonthaburi, near Bangkok. We, too, will be there in November this year. Imagine if we crossed paths at the same time... Anyway, I hope you love your time in 'The Land Of Smiles', and I expect you too will hear this song in your head when you're in Bangkok. All the Best! Æ 🙏

[@BuddyBoy68]

By the way Phuket is pronounced, "Fuket". It's a silent "h", just like in Thailand itself. You don't say "Thighand", do you, as in thighs?... 🤣

[@BuddyBoy68]

Also, you said "in Thailand you never know". I hear that a lot, but you could say the same about a lot of places. However, in Thailand, there are more females than males in the population, so they are most likely female, unless they proudly refer to themselves as ladyboys. And with some of those over there, it's hard for some people to tell the difference. Also, there is a show that travels the world as 'The Lady Boys of Bangkok'. 🤔

[@mdkram]

This song is awesome. Brings back memories. This was a very popular song when it came out.

[@kelleewolfe2834]

Yes! Its instant memories! Like Electric Avenue and Rock Me Amadeus!

[@nocturne7371]

The musical Chess is a true Cold War production. It's a loose take on the famous Chess game between Fisher and Karpov in 1976 in the Phillipines. In the musical, fictional grandmasters from the US and the USSR, meet in Bangkok for an epic Chess game. During the preparationsof the event, the married Russian player end up falling in love with the manager of the American player. It's a really good musical. Four singles where released from the musical, Tommy Körberg (The Russian Grand Master) - Anthem Murray Head (The American Grand Master)- One Night In Bangkok, Elaine Paige (The Manager)/Barbara Dickinson (The Wife) - I Know Him So Well , Björn Skifs - The Arbiter

[@julieCA58]

Exactly

[@terigalen3340]

As an avid chess player all I can say is HELL YES!!!! It's from the movie Chess.

[@micheleevans4960]

Isn’t this just awesome? I was a young teen at this time and we all thought it was funky, cool, new and weird. Just great because it’s so different. ❤

[@peterjack840]

This is from a musical called “Chess” written by Benny and Bjorn from Abba and Tim Rice who wrote the lyrics to “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Murray Head sang the role of Judas on the original 1971 “Jesus Christ Superstar” concept album before the play hit Broadway and long before it was made into a movie. Murray Head’s brother is Anthony Stewart Head, an actor who played Giles in the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” TV show, who can also sing.

[@hollycook5046]

I love how even the close caption knows that synthesizer is funky

[@karenfryberger4260]

Love your comment. Thanks for the laugh! I know this song (and video) by heart, but my hearing is becoming impaired and I regularly used CC now - the errors it makes can be pretty funny. But yes, the synth IS funky...ha!

[@wildmandon1]

This song came out in 1984 and I bought the album Chess for this song. However, this is a fantastic album with a fantastic story about a chess tournament the American, the singer of this song, and the Russian who is his opponent. There is even cheating going on where the American's wife is having an affair with the Russian player. But this album is not your cup of tee and for many others. but, there is an audience that loved this.

[@mortisrat]

It's not his wife, it's his 'second' (a sort of training partner) who is a grandmaster in her own right.

[@Navarre-i1j]

This was such a fantastic song, the entire album if amazing if you understand what you're listening to; a musical, a play, about the drama of champion level chess.

[@smw4628]

This song reached #3 on the American charts. It was very popular and is a great song.

[@benjamansharer7969]

Look for "One Night in Boonville". A local band wrote this parody about the small city I live in and how boring it is. A local radio station was flooded with requests for the song and the Mayor of Boonville tried to get the song banned!🤣🤣

[@bite-sizedshorts9635]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqHEmKuNqJyjfZY

[@jimwilcox2964]

Saw this show in London. Yes a full orchestra, 32 member chorus. They were the chess pieces moving tbrough the game on a backlit stage that rose up out of the stage and turned 45 degrees while also tilting. Another flew in 64 tv screens to show the match and other scenes

[@UNisNWO]

My 5 year old son and I listen to this in the car. He was dancing through the entire review! Love this song

[@melissagrover9727]

This is a stand alone. Not one thing big at that time resembled this song.

[@mariedelgado1613]

I agree

[@kelleewolfe2834]

Yes! I still get this song in my head and it won't go away!! Lol

[@rubyslippers8215]

Once I saw the title, I knew it had to be this song! Just remembered the "hook"...never even knew the rest of the lyrics!🤣It's about CHESS? Whoa!!!

[@mhcaffey120]

This song is from a musical play called CHESS

[@michellepearce5278]

Chess was a musical written by Benny and Bjorn from ABBA. ❤ Try I Know Him So Well ❤

[@ottrud]

Or Anthem!

[@wendyoldbag6534]

You REALLY need to experience this song as part of the musical Chess...it makes a LOT more sense in context!

[@chelseahaley8350]

I would definitely put this as a one hit wonder, but a banger none the less! I was today years old when I finally learned the lyrics! 🤣😳

[@KateinVA]

This song was SO popular in the mid-80s. It’s from a musical. I don’t know how it came to be on the radio, but it’s a nostalgic favorite of mine.

[@rosyb5064]

I can't stop laughing at your whole reaction to this tune!! Your face is totally doing me here!!Yes,it's about everything you're thinking of😂😂😂😂

[@gilliansl]

Singing background vocals is his brother Anthony Stewart Head who played Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and is also an excellent singer! WQXI in Atlanta did a take off on this, One Night in Buckhead! GREAT song!

[@laurabrevitz3944]

IIRC, Murray Head played Judas in the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar. This was a great song. Loved it every time it came in the radio.

[@troyshilanski380]

Oh shitfire brother, this song takes me back. At 55ish didnt like it back when it came out, now im old and kinda dig it. Thanks.

[@jkbezo1]

Lol. I remember this. I was a youngster at the time. Its a mixture of new wave, disco, and hip hop.

[@zinnia2980]

The legendary Bjorn and Benny from Abba and Tim Rice wrote so many classics. The great Murray Head sang it perfectly 👋

[@spgjdg]

According to Songfacts, the song tells of the meeting of two great chess players, one Soviet and one American, in Bangkok, which is the capital of Thailand. Chess is a musical production that uses a US-USSR chess rivalry as a metaphor for the Cold War, but this song just contains double-entendres about the game of Chess compared to the Bangkok nightlife. The example often used is "I would invite you, but the queens we use would not excite you."

[@christopher100]

Reactions like this are why I like this channel. This is a song from my childhood. Yes, it's a weird song. It grows on you after hearing it a few times though.

[@SpikeMatthews]

Fun fact: Murray Head's brother is Anthony Head, best known for his role in Buffy

[@Mvtobebo]

I absolutely love this song! I've been hoping you come across this song.🎉

[@Seamus.MacLeod]

Spot on with the analysis, W for you! This single smashed the US charts when the musical opened. You're just a smidge young to have had this stuck in your head.

[@cattewest]

Such a great song! Thanks for reacting to it.

[@criss6945]

Rappers mostly care about the message of a song. I remember back then this was a huge hit. I was living in a non-English speaking country, so people rather had no clue about the lyrics, but we all loved it. Sometimes it's the sound that matters the most, not the message. That's why it's called MUSIC.

[@kellingc]

One Night in Bangkok is from the Musical "Chess". This version was from Tim Rice's album that some of the songs (the that had been written but the musical was still being written and finalized). It was used to give potential investors an idea about the music. It was released to the public and this song made it on the radio. The album has a black cover with a bunch of white squares making a chess board. The final Broadway production has some different songs on it, and a white cover with a man and woman running with American and Soviet flags flying over them. \Murray Head is a singer and good friend of Tim Rice and will often do demos of the songs Tim wants to produce. He sang Judas Iscariot's part in the "Jesus Christ Superstar" album that was used to shop JCSS around to investors. JCSS was Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber production. I think Tim was the only composer for Chess, and that was a musical, not an opera like JCSS.

[@jornBorgholm]

The two males from the Swedish band ABBA, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson wrote this song back in 1984 for their musical CHESS after Abba went on an eternal break for 40 years.

[@arielfetters5662]

You gotta remember, when this video was made, the 'Rules' of music videos and a lot of TV didn't exist. It was the wild west, do what you want and if it works you're a rock god or at least a 1 hit wonder. The 80's were super experimental, because it was the tipping point between the old analog world, and the new, not yet there but still changing the world as you watched, digital one. Pre Cellphones, pre internet, home PC's were giant klunky things if you had one at all, and 32 inches was a big TV with 40 considered 'call your buddies for movie night' huge.

[@michelemercier2286]

The lyrics are part of a musical that hadn't even been released yet so they made no sense to anyone really (out of context without the story) but back then song lyrics didn't have to make literal sense (Love Shack, Rock Me Amadeus, Hotel California etc.) it was more about the sound or the vibe. There was an appetite in those days for songs that were different, even experimental. Add the contributions by the guys from ABBA which made this song sound catchy and I guess that would explain why it became a hit.

[@davidscott129]

This is one outtake from a whole musical theater production. You don't get the whole story without watching the whole play.

[@bumiboka]

i really like that y het out of yr comfort-zone!!!!!!!!!!!! taking some of the european 80´s!!!!!!!! thks

[@gilliansl]

"The song is generally about an American chess master, arrived in Bangkok for a tournament, and finding the showy and decadent location inappropriate for the serious mental activity of playing chess. The song is full of chess-related puns, and cultural reference to Bangkok."

[@ShawnRavenfire]

If you get the chance, you should see the full musical. It really gets into the mindset of the Cold War and the U.S.A./U.S.S.R. chess competitions.

[@MadAnthonyI]

It some sort of early rap with an accent. The music is cool and classy, sort of post New Wave and sophisticated. The flute solo rocked.

[@richardlambert3364]

On one level the song was actually about a Chess match involving Russian Defector Anatoly Sergievsky, they would swear up and down the other stuff wasn't the other stuff but this is LOADED with double meanings, regardless of what they say.... On those other meanings, you will understand a whole lot more about the song after your trip. It is a super unique place, the Buddhist influence is obvious from the moment you get off the plane, the people are wonderful but on the flip side, basically anything goes on the "dark side", the lady boys are the famous part but is is SOOOOO much deeper than that. You really need to hit the night entertainment areas regardless of whether you party, just to experience it... Think Mardi Gras in Louisiana before all the hurricanes, but crazier. Then, if you have the time, do a tour outside the city for either the natural beauty or cultural history.... Some really amazing stuff....... I have traveled throughout the world over the years. Thailand in general is tied for my absolute favorite city. If a Westerner goes into it with an open mind it will change the way you think about things. The first night I was in Bangkok, I found myself wandering the streets and humming this song's words: "One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble".... I highly recommend getting on KZbin and doing looking around Bangkok and Thailand content to get a feel.

[@glitchtulsa3429]

"I'd let you watch, I would invite you, but the queens we use would mot excite you," "...I get my kicks above the waistline sunshine." It's about chess, it's from the musical Chess, Bangkok is just the town that tournament was in "...one towns very like another, when your head's down over your pieces brother, it's drag, it's a bore, it's really such a pity, to be looking at the board not looking at the city. "

[@MathildaFlow]

The background singer is the amazing Swedish artist Anders Glenmark. He has a very distinct voice.

[@BBCWatcher]

This "One Night in Bangkok" recording is from the original 1984 "Chess" concept album, also released as a single. "Chess" was a West End (London) and (briefly) Broadway musical. Tim Rice, the lyricist for "Chess," was also the lyricist in collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber, mostly in the 1970s. They created several successful musicals including "Joseph," "Evita," and "Jesus Christ, Superstar." To launch JCS and Evita (at least those 2) they released concept albums first (also with Murray Head performing on JCS). If the album did well, they launched the musical on stage. And if the stage show did well they added a theatrical release. (Evita and JCS have movie versions; Joseph has an excellent direct-to-video version.) So Tim Rice and his new collaborators from ABBA tried the same concept album approach with "Chess." The concept album (and this single) did well, or at least well enough. And the London stage run of "Chess" did well, too. It ran for years. "Chess" on Broadway flopped. It ran for only 85 performances (including 17 previews) in 1988. I went to one of the Broadway shows. I really liked Judy Kuhn's performance (she got a Tony nomination), and fortunately "Chess" probably boosted her career. I think the producers wrecked the show when they "Americanized" it. This musical is basically a chess-themed mini soap opera with a love triangle across the Iron Curtain. It's interesting that you compare Murray Head's performance to rap. In musicals that style is called "sprechgesang," speech-singing. It's very common, especially among vocalists who aren't great singers (or who feel they aren't). Rex Harrison is probably the most famous sprechgesanger. Check out "My Fair Lady" if you want to hear Harrison speech-singing. Tim Rice is known for his acerbic lyrics, and in some alternate universe he probably could've written solid rap bars.

[@jannibal9273]

The song is one of several written by the popular group ABBA for the Broadway play "Chess." You have to see it to appreciate the music. "One Night in Bangkok" was a smash hit and as a lifelong chessplayer, we dig it. Maybe you have to play chess to truly appreciate the lyrics, but the song itself is just contagious - a great dance song, for one thing. And dude, the play was about a world chess championship that was being hosted in Thailand.

[@sagitt1856]

MURRAY HEAD's two biggest hits (and of a completely different musical genre than "Bankok"): "Say it ain't so, Joe" and "Never even thought". Two soft rock masterpieces: beautiful music, intelligent lyrics.

[@dlpowers3898]

This song is so catchy and orignal for the era. PS I don't think Murray was wanting to "rap" as such, just tell a story in his staccato style of singing ;)

[@phasemalfunction5286]

This is from the Musical Chess, written by Benny and Bjorn from Abba and Tim Rice. Should also check out I Know him So Well - Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson which is also from the musical

[@asiabgood]

It’s an 80’s gem don’t over think it. Enjoy the ride. Also based on the musical chess

[@erinl1265]

This is such a great song. I am surprised you didn't like it. I heard it my whole life and dug it from the beginning but I never knew what it was about until now.

[@meganrmt]

It’s from the musical Chess. The dude sing/rapping is the ‘bad boy’ of Chess and he’s there to fuck some shit up really.

[@aaronbredon2948]

The song is loaded with double-entendres. Practically every lyric has two meanings, one of which is dirty, the other clean. It doesn’t have great lyrics, but it is catchy, and is worth listening to in order to catch the subtext. It was written during the cold war era when American and USSR chess grandmasters were dueling for championships. And it was written as part of a musical play around that concept.

[@wWSwiftyWw]

I had box seats at the Ordway Theater In Minneapolis MN for Chess. It was EPIC! Probably my favorite musical of all time.

[@kevinjennings238]

Perfect Analysis!!! Using His Brain rather than the Popular "Distractions"! The QUEENS we Use will Not EXCITE You!

[@kylben]

The basic idea is that he's there for a chess tournament (international tournaments are often held in different cities around the world, but I don't think there was a major real one in Bangkock at the time this song came out, if ever). He's interested in the chess, not the other things tourists to Bangkock are usually interested in, and looks down on all that, feeling superior in his "ultimate test of cerebral fitness." The "Yul Brynner" comment was about one of his most famous movies, "The King and I" being banned in Thailand. (which used to be named "Siam").

[@RaLeaChaddle-kq9gi]

This used to play on several radio stations & VH1. I'm trying to put myself in your shoes as far as you hearing this the first time. I've listened to this song hundreds of times. Has a Thomas Dolby vibe..was those type of days.

[@HickoryDoc1]

One of my favs

[@derekrubis6652]

This from the 80’s play, “Chess” written Benny & Bjorn of ABBA

[@TheBreezeman]

This is one of those many songs that most people (including me) have no clue what the lyrics are actually about, but is fun to listen to and sing along to (the few lyrics that are discernable). 😄Ever since the song came out, I've listened to it many many times and have really not even cared what it's actually about. 😄 Not once have I ever tried to figure it out.

[@TheBreezeman]

I did like finding out several years later that Murray Head sang the part of Judas on the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack.

[@LynnThompsonAuthor]

"Chess" was a Broadway show, and this was one of the songs in it, which actually became popular as a radio hit in the '80s. It's about an international chess tournament set in Bangkok. "The god's a she" refers to the ladyboys: "You'll find a god in every golden cloister, and if you're lucky the god's a she." Catchy little tune, though, isn't it? It's one of those that'll pop into your head when you least expect it.

[@kevinjennings238]

DUDE, This song was a Banger in the 80s, JUST because it had a Beat and Synth-Vocals!!! In the 90s, I actually READ the Lyrics and was STUNNED about the Subject! I Just thought it was a Groovy & Funky Tune!!!!

[@michaelmn1958]

One important thing to remember about this piece is that it is the opening for the second act of the musical. It is meant to contrast the wildness of Bangkok, with the purity of the chess game. Essentially the player (Head) means to show that he is not going to let anything get into his head, that he is focused. Of course there are other forces at work beyond the Hedonism of Bangkok.

[@kimmjohnston4744]

Frida, "I know there's something going on." It plays right after One Night in Bangkok on my Amazon recommended playlist.

[@jaythailandjay914]

We will well welcome 🙏 you will open arms here in Thailand... The Island you have to see is Koh Samui.... I lived here for about 20 years...

[@jamesmarshall2817]

This is a number from a rock musical called "Chess". A lot of the lyrics refer to plot points in the rock opera. The singer is a character whose entire life is chess and so he's ignoring the more physical temptations of Bangkok. "I get my kicks ABOVE the waistline, sunshine." He's also a failed chess champion who's in town to comment on the current world champion's latest matches.

[@joannemiranda8879]

80's music was really cool. Brings back so many memories. This got lots of air play on radio. First time seeing the video.

[@AB2B]

He's more telling a story rather than rapping. As others have pointed out, this is the opening for Scene 2 in the musical Chess, so he's sort of explaining things.

[@alastairmcintyre4752]

You've basically got the concept . CHESS was a musical by Tim Rice and Benny & Bjorn from ABBA - Rice is a lyricist and you can hear ABBA vibes in the music . Although the song was a hit in quite a few countries and Number 3 in the US it's not really a great " stand alone " piece and sounds better in the context of the musical ( or the concept album ) - but it's a bit of harmless fun

[@stevehamilton8824]

An incredible one-hit wonder. This song was a banger in the clubs. Released in 1984. The song is about a chess tournament in Bangkok.

[@tomnoziglia8385]

This is from The musical Chess - written by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus - the 2 B's from ABBA. It has that ABBA sound.

[@selfingwithclare3410]

The song is from the musical ''Chess.'' Once you've listened to, and seen the whole show, everything slots beautifully into place. I actually saw the show at the White Rock Theatre in Hastings years ago (which is mentioned as one of the places where the tournaments take place in this song!) I love all the orchestral parts as well as the dramatic love triangle story encapsulated in the Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson hit song from Chess: "'I know him so well.''

[@banadverts3442]

This is the first reaction you've done that was a new song for me. That was a banger I loved this reaction. What a TUNE

[@Pay-the-Piper]

Oh my God, I forgot about this song. I love this song. Thanks for reviewing this song

[@jameslong3752]

"One Night in Bangkok" is a song from the concept album and subsequent musical "Chess" Wikipedia. The song was an 80s one hit wonder. The song is about Chess Masters playing a chess tournament.

[@revaflowers3115]

Cultural shock in Bangkok!This was released in 1984. At that time Bangkok was still a lot like how it was perceived in the Indian Jones movie Temple Of Doom to most Westerners. It was a dangerous playground for tourists and a lot of deception going on.There were the girly boys and lots of prostitution and gang violence.So the song is referencing those elements ,but amongst all of that is the chess world.